"I had heard rumors that there was a ninja even more talented than Sasuke…"
The hoarse, snake-like voice echoed through the shattered forest.
"But seeing it with my own eyes today—yes, you truly live up to that reputation."
Orochimaru stood amidst the swirling dust, his golden pupils fixed greedily on the blond boy before him.
"Unfortunately," he continued softly, lips curling upward, "Uchiha Sasuke is destined to become my prey… and my vessel."
"No matter how desperately you struggle, you cannot stop me from taking him."
Naruto clenched his fists.
Veins bulged along his arms as rage surged through his body.
"Then let's see about that!" he roared.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"
In the same instant, Naruto's main body and dozens—no, hundreds—of Shadow Clones moved as one.
A deafening roar erupted.
Violent gales exploded outward, compressing the air itself into invisible blades. Countless crescent-shaped wind slashes tore through the Forest of Death, shredding massive trees like fragile twigs. Leaves, branches, soil, and splintered trunks were ripped apart and hurled into the sky as though a natural disaster had descended upon the battlefield.
The storm expanded in every direction.
The ground cracked.
The air screamed.
It was as if the forest itself was being erased.
For the second time that day, Orochimaru felt genuine shock.
His snake-like pupils contracted violently.
"…Magnificent."
"What terrifying talent…"
Orochimaru licked his lips slowly.
"Uzumaki Naruto… you may be even more delicious prey than Sasuke."
For the first time, true greed ignited in the eyes of one of the Legendary Sannin.
Orochimaru—S-rank missing-nin of Konoha, feared throughout the ninja world—felt an overwhelming urge to possess them.
Originally, his target had always been Uchiha Sasuke.
While still a member of Akatsuki, Orochimaru had once attempted to take Uchiha Itachi's body. That ambition ended in absolute failure, crushed beneath the terrifying power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
From that moment on, Orochimaru had turned his gaze toward Sasuke.
Another Uchiha.
Another Sharingan.
Young. Unrefined. Full of potential.
The invasion of Konoha during the Chunin Exams existed for one purpose alone—to claim Sasuke's body.
Yet now…
Naruto's overwhelming strength stirred something new.
A dangerous temptation.
Still, Orochimaru understood the reality.
Sasuke was an orphan. The Uchiha Clan had been annihilated. He stood alone, unsupported.
Naruto, on the other hand…
Even ignoring his obscure past, the simple fact that he was the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki meant everything.
Konoha would never abandon him.
If Sasuke were taken, the village would attempt to retrieve him.
But if Naruto were taken…
Orochimaru's tongue slid across his lips.
How interesting.
And yet—
The Nine-Tails could never coexist with him.
If he possessed Naruto's body, the beast would come with it.
That alone made Naruto unsuitable.
After only a moment's consideration, Orochimaru's desire settled once more.
Sasuke was still the optimal choice.
His gaze shifted.
Those blood-red Sharingan.
Even with only two tomoe, they already carried terrifying power.
Lightning flashed.
The storm finally subsided.
Naruto and his Shadow Clones staggered, panting heavily. That single combined attack had drained an enormous amount of chakra.
But its power was undeniable.
An entire section of the forest had been flattened.
Broken trunks littered the ground like corpses after a massacre.
"…We got him," Naruto muttered, allowing himself a small, relieved smile.
Hinata let out the breath she had been holding.
Sasuke slowly regained his composure.
Then—
The scattered remains on the battlefield began to move.
Fragments twisted.
Flesh stretched.
Countless small snakes emerged, slithering across the ground.
They coiled, intertwined, and fused together.
Limbs reattached.
A torso reformed.
Even a body that had been sliced clean in half stood upright once more, stitching itself together in a grotesque display.
Naruto's eyes widened.
Hinata froze in horror.
Sasuke's blood ran cold.
"…What is that?" Naruto whispered.
"Is… is that still human?"
Orochimaru's head finally reconnected to his neck.
It had been twisted backward—slowly, it rotated into place with a sickening crack.
He extended his long tongue and licked the corner of his mouth, his golden pupils locking onto Naruto.
"Marvelous…"
"Such immense chakra reserves…"
"And you've mastered Wind Release: Great Breakthrough and Wind Cutter at the same time."
"Two Wind Release techniques with completely different natures… even contradictory ones."
He chuckled.
"If an ordinary jōnin had faced that attack head-on, they would have been torn apart instantly."
"Uzumaki Naruto… you keep surprising me."
Naruto trembled with anger.
"Bastard!" he shouted. "What the hell are you?!"
"A monster?"
Orochimaru laughed softly.
"You have no right to call me that."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Isn't the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox inside you the most terrifying monster in the entire ninja world?"
Naruto's eyes darkened.
So he knew.
"Yeah?" Naruto growled. "Maybe there is something like that inside me—but I've never borrowed its power!"
Orochimaru paused.
"…Oh?"
His interest deepened.
"If that's true… then you're even more remarkable than I thought."
"What a shame," he said calmly. "No matter how perfect you are, my prey can only be one."
His gaze returned to Sasuke.
Cold. Focused.
"What are you going to do to him?!" Naruto shouted.
Orochimaru raised a finger to his lips.
"Shh…"
"It's a secret."
But they all understood.
Whatever awaited Sasuke would be worse than death.
Sasuke clenched his fists.
He forced himself to speak.
"Who… who are you?"
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"Someone who can help you achieve your goal."
"…Goal?"
Orochimaru's voice lowered.
"You already know it."
"I'm the only one who can give you that power."
"To kill him."
Sasuke's breath caught.
"…What did you say?"
Orochimaru threw his head back and laughed.
A low, chilling laugh that echoed through the ruined forest.
"Heh… hahahaha!"
"Uchiha Sasuke… one day, you'll understand the effort I've put in for you."
"But first—"
"Let's test it."
"Your true potential."
Sasuke's heart pounded violently.
Those words—
They were the same ones spoken on that night.
That night of blood.
"Why did you kill them?"
"Perhaps… I wanted to test my capacity."
Rage exploded.
"Shut up!" Sasuke screamed.
His Sharingan flared.
The two tomoe spun violently, pushing past their limits.
Power surged.
Without hesitation, Sasuke hurled massive shuriken toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru twisted his body effortlessly, slipping past them.
Then—
Buzz—!
Sasuke yanked sharply on a thin steel wire.
The shuriken reversed direction, screaming through the air toward Orochimaru once more.
The killing intent was absolute.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)